How Do Helicopters Work?

Unlike airplanes, helicopters feature spinning wings called blades or rotors on top. As a helicopter’s blades spin, they create a force called lift that allows the helicopter to rise into the air. A helicopter’s rotors perform the same function as an airplane’s wings.

In addition to the rotors on top, helicopters also have a rotor in the back. The rear rotor can face different directions, allowing the helicopter to move forward, backward and sideways.

Helicopters can do many things that airplanes cannot. For example, helicopters can move straight up or down and hover in the air without moving. They can also fly backwards and sideways. They can even take off or land without a runway!

These capabilities make helicopters ideal for many tasks. They’ve been used by the military for many years to move troops, deliver supplies and serve as flying ambulances. Their mobility allows helicopters to get to people in hard-to-reach places, such as mountains and oceans.

Helicopters are also used often by the media to report on breaking news and traffic. Because of their ability to hover and land without a runway, helicopters are ideal for moving large objects. They can also be used to carry large loads of water to fight forest fires.

Content for this question contributed by Joyce Brooks, resident of Hampden County, Massachusetts, USA